ROCK mediates thrombin's endothelial barrier dysfunction

Thrombin-mediated increases in cytosolic [Ca2+] involve different mechanisms in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells

Thrombin is a procoagulant inflammatory agonist that can disrupt the endothelium-lumen barrier in the lung by causing contraction of endothelial cells and promote pulmonary cell proliferation. Both contraction and proliferation require increases in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)). In this study, we compared the effect of thrombin on Ca(2+) signaling in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASMC) and endothelial (PAEC) cells. Thrombin increased the [Ca(2+)](cyt) in both cell types; however, the transient response was significantly higher and recovered quicker in the PASMC, suggesting different mechanisms may contribute to thrombin-mediated increases in [Ca(2+)](cyt) in these cell types. Depletion of intracellular stores with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) induced calcium transients representative of those observed in response to thrombin in both cell types. Interestingly, CPA pretreatment significantly attenuated thrombin-induced Ca(2+) release in PASMC; this attenuation was not apparent in PAEC, indicating that a PAEC-specific mechanism was targeted by thrombin. Treatment with a combination of CPA, caffeine, and ryanodine also failed to abolish the thrombin-induced Ca(2+) transient in PAEC. Notably, thrombin-induced receptor-mediated calcium influx was still observed in PASMC after CPA pretreatment in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+). Ca(2+) oscillations were triggered by thrombin in PASMC resulting from a balance of extracellular Ca(2+) influx and Ca(2+) reuptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The data show that thrombin induces increases in intracellular calcium in PASMC and PAEC with a distinct CPA-, caffeine-, and ryanodine-insensitive release existing only in PAEC. Furthermore, a dynamic balance between Ca(2+) influx, intracellular Ca(2+) release, and reuptake underlie the Ca(2+) transients evoked by thrombin in some PASMC. Understanding of such mechanisms will provide an important insight into thrombin-mediated vascular injury during hypertension.

Inhibition of endothelial barrier dysfunction by P21-activated kinase-1

We investigated the activity of P21-activated kinase-1 (Pak1) on myosin light chain phosphorylation and on thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction in human endothelial cells (HMEC). HMEC were infected with recombinant adenoviruses that express constitutively active Pak1, LacZ, wild-type, and a mutant myosin regulatory light chain, mMLC20 (Thr18Ala, Ser19Ala). Expression of the recombinant Pak1 mediated by adenovirus in HMEC was regulated. Active Pak1 induced dephosphorylation of MLC20 in HMEC, but not in smooth muscle cells. Active Pak1 significantly inhibited thrombin-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction. Expression of the unphosphorylatable MLC20 also inhibited thrombin-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction. Constitutively active Pak1 associated with phosphatase 2A and induced a post-translational modification of the phosphatase. Our data provide novel evidence indicating that Pak1 regulates endothelial barrier function through activation of phosphatase 2A.

Viable "Haemophilus somnus" induces myosin light-chain kinase-dependent decrease in brain endothelial cell monolayer resistance

"Haemophilus somnus" causes thrombotic meningoencephalitis in cattle. Our laboratory has previously reported that H. somnus has the ability to adhere to, but not invade, bovine brain endothelial cells (BBEC) in vitro. The goal of this study was to determine if H. somnus alters brain endothelial cell monolayer integrity in vitro, in a manner that would be expected to contribute to inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS). Monolayer integrity was monitored by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and albumin flux. BBEC incubated with H. somnus underwent rapid cytoskeletal rearrangement, significant increases in albumin flux, and reductions in TEER. Decreased monolayer TEER was preceded by phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain and was partially dependent on tumor necrosis factor alpha and myosin light-chain kinase but not interleukin-1beta. Neither heat-killed H. somnus, formalin-fixed H. somnus, nor purified lipooligosaccharide altered monolayer integrity within a 2-h incubation period, whereas conditioned medium from H. somnus-treated BBEC caused a modest reduction in TEER. The data from this study support the hypothesis that viable H. somnus alters integrity of the blood-brain barrier by promoting contraction of BBEC and increasing paracellular permeability of the CNS vasculature.

Attenuation of vascular permeability by methylnaltrexone: role of mOP-R and S1P3 transactivation

Endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction (i.e., increased vascular permeability) is observed in inflammatory states, tumor angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and both sepsis and acute lung injury. Therefore, agents that preserve vascular integrity have important clinical therapeutic implications. We examined the effects of methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a mu opioid receptor (mOP-R) antagonist, on human pulmonary EC barrier disruption produced by edemagenic agents including morphine, the endogenous mOP-R agonist DAMGO, thrombin, and LPS. Pretreatment of EC with MNTX (0.1 muM, 1 h) or the uncharged mOP-R antagonist naloxone attenuated morphine- and DAMGO-induced barrier disruption in vitro. However, MNTX, but not naloxone, pretreatment of EC inhibited thrombin- and LPS-induced barrier disruption, indicating potential mOP-R-independent effects of MNTX. In addition, intravenously delivered MNTX attenuated LPS-induced vascular hyperpermeability in the murine lung. We next examined the mechanistic basis for this MNTX barrier protection and observed that silencing of mOP-R attenuated the morphine- and DAMGO-induced EC barrier disruption, but not the permeability response to either thrombin or LPS. Because activation of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, S1P(3), is key to a number of barrier-disruptive responses, we examined the role of this receptor in the permeability response to mOP-R ligation. Morphine, DAMGO, thrombin, and LPS induced RhoA/ROCK-mediated threonine phosphorylation of S1P(3), which was blocked by MNTX, suggesting S1P(3) transactivation. In addition, silencing of S1P(3) receptor expression (siRNA) abolished the permeability response to each edemagenic agonist. These results indicate that MNTX provides barrier protection against edemagenic agonists via inhibition of S1P(3) receptor activation and represents a potentially useful therapeutic agent for syndromes of increased vascular permeability.

Rho kinase as potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases: opportunities and challenges

Rho kinase (ROCK) belongs to a family of Ser/Thr protein kinases that are activated via interaction with the small GTP-binding protein RhoA. Growing evidence suggests that RhoA and ROCK participate in a variety of important physiological functions in vasculature including smooth muscle contraction, cell proliferation, cell adhesion and migration, and many aspects of inflammatory responses. As these processes mediate the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease, modulation of the Rho/ROCK signalling pathway is a potential strategy for targeting an array of cardiovascular indications. Two widely employed ROCK inhibitors, fasudil and Y-27632, have provided preliminary but compelling evidence supporting the potential cardiovascular benefits of ROCK inhibition in preclinical animal disease models and in the clinic. This review summarises the molecular biology of ROCK and its biological functions in smooth muscle, endothelium and other vascular tissues. In addition, there will be a focus on recent progress demonstrating the benefits of ROCK inhibition in several animal models of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, recent progress in the identification of novel ROCK inhibitors and challenges associated with their development for clinical use will be discussed.

Rho and ROCK signaling in VEGF-induced microvascular endothelial hyperpermeability

OBJECTIVES

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the regulation of microvascular permeability under various physiological and pathological conditions. The authors tested the hypothesis that the small GTPase Rho and its downstream effector ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase) mediate VEGF-induced increases in venular permeability. They also investigated myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and actin polymerization, two well-characterized targets of the Rho-ROCK pathway that are implicated in the regulation of endothelial barrier function.

METHODS

The apparent permeability coefficient of albumin (P(a)) was measured in intact isolated porcine coronary venules and in cultured coronary venular endothelial cell (CVEC) monolayers. RhoA activation was determined using a Rhotekin-agarose pull down assay. MLC phosphorylation was evaluated by immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies, and endothelial cellular F-actin was viewed using fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

VEGF increased P(a) in both isolated coronary venules and CVEC monolayers. The hyperpermeability response occurred in a similar time course to that of Rho activation, MLC phosphorylation, and actin stress fiber formation. Selective blockage of ROCK with Y27632 dose-dependently inhibited VEGF-induced venular hyperpermeability. Moreover, inhibition of either Rho with exoenzyme C3 or ROCK with Y-27632 attenuated VEGF-induced increases in permeability, MLC phosphorylation, and actin-stress fiber formation in CVEC monolayers.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these findings suggest that the Rho-ROCK signal pathway contributes to VEGF-induced hyperpermeability. Myosin light-chain phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation occur concomitantly with the increase in permeability upon VEGF stimulation.

Perturbation of endothelial junction proteins by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin: inhibition of endothelial gap formation by adrenomedullin

Endothelial hyperpermeability is a hallmark of an inflammatory reaction and contributes to tissue damage in severe infections. Loss of endothelial cell-cell adhesion leads to intercellular gap formation allowing paracellular fluid flux. Although Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin significantly contributed to staphylococci disease, little is known about its mechanism of endothelial hyperpermeability induction. Here, we demonstrate that in a model of isolated perfused rat ileum discontinuation of capillary vascular-endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) was observed after bolus application of S. aureus alpha-toxin being inhibited by the endogenous peptide adrenomedullin (ADM). In vitro, alpha-toxin exposure induced loss of immunoreactivity of VE-cadherin and occludin in human cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells. Likewise, ADM blocked alpha-toxin-related junctional protein disappearance from intercellular sites. Additionally, cyclic AMP elevation was shown to stabilize endothelial barrier function after alpha-toxin application. Although no RhoA activation was noted after endothelial alpha-toxin exposure, inhibition of Rho kinase and myosin light chain kinase blocked loss of immunoreactivity of VE-cadherin and occludin as well as intercellular gap formation. In summary, stabilization of endothelial junctional integrity as indicated by interendothelial immunostaining might be an interesting approach to stabilize endothelial barrier function in severe S. aureus infections.

Apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial cells by statins through the blocking of protein geranylgeranylation: a potential therapeutic approach to rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether statins induce apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synoviocytes.

METHODS

The effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins (fluvastatin and pravastatin, respectively) on the apoptosis of cultured RA synoviocytes were examined in vitro. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry after staining with JC-1 (to measure the mitochondrial transmembrane potential), active caspase 3, annexin V, and propidium iodide. Add-back experiments were conducted to determine which downstream products of the mevalonate pathway could suppress apoptosis. Modulation of various signaling pathways induced by statins, including protein prenylation, was also investigated.

RESULTS

Fluvastatin, but not pravastatin, induced apoptosis in RA synoviocytes in a concentration-dependent (1-10 microM) and time-dependent (48-96 hours) manner. Another lipophilic statin, pitavastatin, displayed almost the same effects as fluvastatin. In sharp contrast, lipophilic statins did not significantly increase apoptosis in synoviocytes from patients with osteoarthropathy. Apoptosis induced by fluvastatin was mitochondrial- and caspase 3-dependent and was abrogated by mevalonate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but not by farnesyl pyrophosphate. In addition, the geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor GGTI-298 mimicked the effect of fluvastatin on RA synoviocytes. Treatment of RA synoviocytes with the RhoA kinase inhibitor Y-27632 caused apoptosis. Fluvastatin decreased the amount of RhoA protein in the membrane fraction, but increased the amount in the cytosolic fraction.

CONCLUSION

Fluvastatin induced apoptosis in RA synoviocytes through a mitochondrial- and caspase 3-dependent pathway and by the blockage of mevalonate pathways, particularly through the inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation and RhoA/RhoA kinase pathways. These findings suggest that lipophilic statins have potential as novel therapeutic agents for RA.

Suppression of RhoA activity by focal adhesion kinase-induced activation of p190RhoGAP: role in regulation of endothelial permeability

The interaction of endothelial cells with extracellular matrix proteins at focal adhesions sites contributes to the integrity of vascular endothelial barrier. Although focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation is required for the recovery of the barrier function after increased endothelial junctional permeability, the basis for the recovery remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that FAK activates p190RhoGAP and, thus, negatively regulates RhoA activity and promotes endothelial barrier restoration in response to the permeability-increasing mediator thrombin. We observed that thrombin caused a transient activation of RhoA but a more prolonged FAK activation temporally coupled to the recovery of barrier function. Thrombin also induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p190RhoGAP, which coincided with decrease in RhoA activity. We further showed that FAK was associated with p190RhoGAP, and importantly, recombinant FAK phosphorylated p190RhoGAP in vitro. Inhibition of FAK by adenoviral expression of FRNK (a dominant negative FAK construct) in monolayers prevented p190RhoGAP phosphorylation, increased RhoA activity, induced actin stress fiber formation, and produced an irreversible increase in endothelial permeability in response to thrombin. We also observed that p190RhoGAP was unable to attenuate RhoA activation in the absence of FAK activation induced by FRNK. The inhibition of RhoA by the C3 toxin (Clostridium botulinum toxin) restored endothelial barrier function in the FRNK-expressing cells. These findings in endothelial cells were recapitulated in the lung microcirculation in which FRNK expression in microvessel endothelia increased vascular permeability. Our studies demonstrate that FAK-induced down-modulation of RhoA activity via p190RhoGAP is a crucial step in signaling endothelial barrier restoration after increased endothelial permeability.

Involvement of ROCK-mediated endothelial tension development in neutrophil-stimulated microvascular leakage

Neutrophil-induced coronary microvascular barrier dysfunction is an important pathophysiological event in heart disease. Currently, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms of neutrophil-induced microvascular leakage are not clear. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that rho kinase (ROCK) increases coronary venular permeability in association with elevated endothelial tension. We assessed permeability to albumin (P(a)) in isolated porcine coronary venules and in coronary venular endothelial cell (CVEC) monolayers. Endothelial barrier function was also evaluated by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) of CVEC monolayers. In parallel, we measured isometric tension of CVECs grown on collagen gels. Transference of constitutively active (ca)-ROCK protein into isolated coronary venules or CVEC monolayers caused a significant increase in P(a) and decreased TER in CVECs. The ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 blocked the ca-ROCK-induced changes. C5a-activated neutrophils (10(6)/ml) also significantly elevated venular P(a), which was dose-dependently inhibited by Y-27632 and a structurally distinct ROCK inhibitor, H-1152. In CVEC monolayers, activated neutrophils increased permeability with a concomitant elevation in isometric tension, both of which were inhibited by Y-27632 or H-1152. Treatment with ca-ROCK also significantly increased CVEC monolayer permeability and isometric tension, coupled with actin polymerization and elevated phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain on Thr18/Ser19. The data suggest that during neutrophil activation, ROCK promotes microvascular leakage in association with actin-myosin-mediated tension development in endothelial cells.

HMG CoA reductase inhibition modulates VEGF-induced endothelial cell hyperpermeability by preventing RhoA activation and myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation

The beneficial effects of statins are usually assumed to stem from their ability to reduce cholesterol biosynthesis. However, because statins are potent inhibitors of the mevalonate, which governs diverse cell signaling pathways, inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase may also result in pleiotropic effects. The present study describes a novel pleiotropic effect of statins on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced glomerular endothelial cell (GEnC) hyperpermeability. Using live cell imaging with green fluorescent protein-tagged myosin regulatory light chain (MLC) and correlative biochemical analyses, we investigated 1) VEGF signaling pathway leading to GEnC hyperpermeability and 2) the modulatory effects of statins on VEGF signaling. Our findings indicate that VEGF stimulation elicits a robust increase in GEnC permeability. The signaling pathway that mediates VEGF-induced GEnC hyperpermeability involves RhoA activation leading to actin cytoskeletal remodeling, MLC diphosphorylation, and enhanced paracellular gap formation. Remarkably, cotreatment of endothelial cells with simvastatin, a hydrophobic statin, reversed VEGF-induced GEnC hyperpermeability by preventing MLC diphosphorylation, and cytoskeletal remodeling. In summary, this study identifies RhoA and MLC phosphorylation as key mediators of VEGF-induced endothelial cell hyperpermeability and demonstrates the modulatory effects of statins on VEGF signaling pathway.

Focal adhesion kinase in neutrophil-induced microvascular hyperpermeability

OBJECTIVE

Recent experimental evidence indicates an essential role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in mediating endothelial adhesion, contraction, and migration under physical stress and chemical stimulation. However, the functional impact of FAK on microvascular barrier property during inflammation has not been revealed. The aim of this study was to explore the potential contribution of FAK to neutrophil-dependent microvascular hyperpermeability.

METHODS

The apparent permeability coefficient of albumin was measured in intact, isolated porcine coronary venules during stimulation by C5a-activated neutrophils. In parallel, the transendothelial flux of albumin was quantified in cultured venular endothelial cell monolayers exposed to C5a-activated neutrophils. Western blotting and immunocytochemistry were performed to assess FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and distribution in endothelial cells, respectively. To specify the signaling effect of FAK on neutrophil-elicited endothelial hyperpermeability, FAK-related nonkinase (FRNK) was expressed, purified, and directly transfected into the endothelium of venules, and the permeability response to neutrophils was measured during inhibition of FAK.

RESULTS

C5a-activated neutrophils induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in venular permeability. Transfection of venules with FRNK did not alter the basal barrier function but greatly attenuated neutrophil-induced hyperpermeability in a dose-related manner. A similar permeability response to neutrophils was observed in venular endothelial cell monolayers, which was diminished after FRNK transfection. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that activated neutrophils caused a concentration-dependent increase in FAK tyrosine phosphorylation with a time course correlating with that of venular hyperpermeability. Transfection of FRNK blocked neutrophil-evoked FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence microscopy revealed a significant morphological change of FAK from a punctuated, dot-like pattern under normal conditions to an elongated, dash-like staining that aligned with the longitudinal axis of cells upon neutrophil stimulation.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that focal adhesion kinase significantly contributes to the endothelial hyperpermeability response to neutrophil activation. Phosphorylation of FAK may play an important signaling role in the regulation of microvascular barrier function during inflammation.

Thrombin-Induced Force Development in Vascular Endothelial Cells: Contribution to Alteration of Permeability Mediated by Calcium-Dependent and -Independent Pathways

Endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction is associated with many types of vascular diseases. Investigators have hypothesized that altered EC contraction in conjunction with morphological changes may lead to EC dysfunction. However, the nature of EC contraction and its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study we measured thrombin-induced force in bovine arterial EC force using EC fibers that were grown in a collagen matrix. Contraction, which occurred in time- and dose-dependent fashion, was elicited by thrombin. The thrombin-enhanced EC layer permeability was correlated with EC fiber contraction. These results suggest that EC contractile response is involved in alteration of EC barrier function. During the initial period of thrombin stimulation, cadherin complexes were disrupted and cell-to-cell connections were reduced. This was dependent on the transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration and myosin phosphorylation. Rho kinase activation led to rearrangement of actin stress fibers (ASF). Paracellular holes were created in the EC layer in parallel to EC morphological change. Our findings suggest that EC layer permeability is regulated by two distinguishable steps. In the initial period, the cell-to-cell connection was reduced in a calcium-dependent fashion. Subsequently, Rho kinase and ASF-mediated force development increased EC layer permeability via morphological change of EC.

Differential Regulation of Human Lung Epithelial and Endothelial Barrier Function by Thrombin

Lung epithelial and endothelial barrier dysfunction is critical to the physiologic derangement observed in acute lung injury, but remains poorly understood. We utilized human alveolar epithelial (A549) and endothelial cells (EC) to study cytoskeletal remodeling, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and barrier regulation evoked by the edemagenic agent, thrombin. Thrombin-challenged human EC monolayers demonstrated increased MLC phosphorylation, actin stress fiber formation and loss of barrier integrity reflected by decreased transmonolayer electrical resistance (TER). In contrast, thrombin produced prominent circumferential localization of actin fibers, increased MLC phosphorylation and increased TER across epithelial monolayers, consistent with barrier protection. Reductions in MLC phosphorylation induced by cell pretreatment with pharmacological inhibitors of MLC kinase (ML-7) and Rho kinase (Y-27632) significantly attenuated thrombin-mediated TER changes and MLC phosphorylation in both lung cell types. Thrombin-produced, time-dependent activation of Rho GTPase in both epithelial and EC, whereas Rac GTPase activation was observed only in A549 cells. Molecular inhibition of Rac activity by adenoviral transfer of dominant-negative Rac mutant abolished thrombin-induced TER increases in alveolar epithelial cells. Finally, A549 cells, but not endothelium, demonstrated increased levels of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) after thrombin at the cell-cell interface areas linked to thrombin-elicited barrier protection. These results demonstrate differential pulmonary endothelial and alveolar epithelial barrier regulation via unique actomyosin remodeling and cytoskeletal interactions with tight junction complexes, which confer selective barrier responses to edemagenic stimuli.

Rho-kinase inhibition reduces neointima formation after vascular injury by enhancing Bax expression and apoptosis

Recently, we have shown that a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y27632 (R-(+)-trans-N-(4-pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxamide), prevents neointima formation after vascular injury associated with increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL)+ smooth muscle cells. Because the mechanism of the action of Y27632 remains unclear, we investigated the expression changes in Bcl family proteins, apoptosis regulators of smooth muscle cells, in the rat carotid artery after balloon injury (BI). Y27632 (BI + Y group) or saline (BI group) was administered peritoneally from Day 1 to Day 14 after BI. Y27632 markedly prevented neointima formation at Day 14. In the BI group, TUNEL+ smooth muscle cells were transiently increased in the neointima, but not in the media, with a peak at Day 7, returning to a lower level by Day 14. Y27632 significantly increased TUNEL+ smooth muscle cells at Days 7 and 14. Smooth muscle cell apoptosis was confirmed by electron microscopic examination. At Day 14, although proapoptotic Bax was slightly, but not significantly, increased in the BI group, it was significantly upregulated in the BI + Y group. Antiapoptotic Bcl-xL was upregulated in the BI group, and the upregulated Bcl-xL was not affected by Y27632. These findings indicate that Rho-kinase inhibition induces neointimal smooth muscle cell apoptosis through Bax upregulation, resulting in reduced neointima formation.

Role of protease-activated receptors in the vascular system

Thrombin is one of the key molecules involved in the development of vascular diseases. Thrombin does not only serve as a coagulation factor, but it also exerts cellular effects by activating protease (proteinase)-activated receptors (PARs), a family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. This study focused on the role of PARs in the vascular system. Among the four members so far identified, PAR-1 and PAR-2 were found to play an important role in the vascular system, while the functional roles of PAR-3 and PAR-4 appear to be mostly limited to platelets. The endothelial cells play a primary role in mediating the vascular effects of PARs under physiological conditions, while PARs of the smooth muscle cells can be induced under pathological conditions, and therefore play a more pathophysiological role. PAR-1 and PAR-2 mediate various vascular effects including regulation of vascular tone, proliferation and hypertrophy of smooth muscle and angiogenesis. Since proteases are activated under pathological conditions such as hemorrhage, tissue damage, and inflammation, PARs are suggested to play a critical role in the development of functional and structural abnormality in the vascular lesion. Understanding the functional role of PARs in the vascular system can thus help in the development of new strategies for the prevention and therapy of vascular diseases.

GIT1 mediates thrombin signaling in endothelial cells: role in turnover of RhoA-type focal adhesions

Thrombin mediates changes in endothelial barrier function and increases endothelial permeability. A feature of thrombin-enhanced endothelial hyperpermeability is contraction of endothelial cells (ECs), accompanied by formation of focal adhesions (FAs). Recently, a G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein, GIT1, was shown to regulate FA disassembly. We hypothesized that GIT1 modulates thrombin-induced changes in FAs. In human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), thrombin recruited GIT1 to FAs, where GIT1 colocalized with FAK and vinculin. Recruitment of GIT1 to FAs was dependent on activation of the small GTPase RhoA, and Rho kinase, as demonstrated by adenoviral transfection of dominant-negative RhoA and treatment with Y-27632. Thrombin stimulated GIT1 tyrosine phosphorylation with a time course similar to FAK phosphorylation in a Rho kinase- and Src-dependent manner. Depletion of GIT1 with antisense GIT1 oligonucleotides had no effect on basal cell morphology, but increased cell rounding and contraction of HUVECs, increased FA formation, and increased FAK tyrosine phosphorylation in response to thrombin, concomitant with increased endothelial hyperpermeability. These data identify GIT1 as a novel mediator in agonist-dependent signaling in ECs, demonstrate that GIT1 is involved in cell shape changes, and suggest a role for GIT1 as a negative feedback regulator that augments recovery of cell contraction.

Isoform-specific knockout of endothelial myosin light chain kinase: closing the gap on inflammatory lung disease

Inflammatory lung diseases result in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Central to the pathogenesis of these diseases is disruption of endothelial barrier function. Activation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is a key regulatory step in the modulation of endothelial permeability. Recent studies show that mice with selective knockout of the endothelial MLCK are less susceptible to endotoxin-induced acute lung injury and that a new small-molecule inhibitor of MLCK also protects against lung injury.

Role of Rho GTPases in thrombin-induced lung vascular endothelial cells barrier dysfunction

Thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction of pulmonary endothelial monolayer is associated with dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization, activation of actomyosin contraction, and gap formation. Phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chains (MLC) is a key mechanism of endothelial cell (EC) contraction and barrier dysfunction, which is triggered by Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent MLC kinase (MLCK) and Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase). The role of MLCK in EC barrier regulation has been previously described; however, Rho-mediated pathway in thrombin-induced pulmonary EC dysfunction is not yet precisely characterized. Here, we demonstrate that thrombin-induced decreases in transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) indicating EC barrier dysfunction are universal for human and bovine pulmonary endothelium, and involve membrane translocation and direct activation of small GTPase Rho and its downstream target Rho-kinase. Transient Rho membrane translocation coincided with translocation of upstream Rho activator, guanosine nucleotide exchange factor p115-RhoGEF. Rho mediated activation of downstream target, Rho-kinase induced phosphorylation of the EC MLC phosphatase (MYPT1) at Thr(686) and Thr(850), resulting in MYPT1 inactivation, accumulation of diphospho-MLC, actin remodeling, and cell contraction. The specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y27632, abolished MYPT1 phosphorylation, MLC phosphorylation, significantly attenuated stress fiber formation and thrombin-induced TER decrease. Furthermore, expression of dominant-negative Rho and Rho-kinase abolished thrombin-induced stress fiber formation and MLC phosphorylation. Our data, which provide comprehensive analysis of Rho-mediated signal transduction in pulmonary EC, demonstrate involvement of guanosine nucleotide exchange factor, p115-RhoGEF, in thrombin-mediated Rho regulation, and suggest Rho, Rho-kinase, and MYPT1 as potential pharmacological and gene therapy targets critical for prevention of thrombin-induced EC barrier disruption and pulmonary edema associated with acute lung injury.

Signal transduction pathways activated in human pulmonary endothelial cells by OxPAPC, a bioactive component of oxidized lipoproteins

The bioactive component of mildly oxidized low-density lipoproteins, oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC), activates tissue factor expression and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells (EC) from systemic circulation, but blocks expression of inflammatory adhesion molecules (VCAM, E-selectin) and neutrophil adhesion associated with EC acute inflammatory response to bacterial lypopolysacharide (LPS). Due to constant exposure to oxygen free radicals, lipids in the injured lung are especially prone to oxidative modification and increased OxPAPC generation. In this study, we focused on OxPAPC-mediated intracellular signaling mechanisms that lead to physiological responses in pulmonary endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate that OxPAPC treatment activated in a time-dependent fashion protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA), Raf/MEK1,2/Erk-1,2 MAP kinase cascade, JNK MAP kinase and transient protein tyrosine phosphorylation in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC), whereas nonoxidized PAPC was without effect. Pharmacological inhibition of PKC and tyrosine kinases blocked activation of Erk-1,2 kinase cascade upstream of Raf. OxPAPC did not affect myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, but increased phosphorylation of cofillin, a molecular regulator of actin polymerization. Finally, OxPAPC induced p60Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins paxillin and FAK. Our results suggest a critical involvement of PKC and tyrosine phosphorylation in OxPAPC-induced activation of Erk-1,2 MAP kinase cascade associated with regulation of specific gene expression, and demonstrate rapid phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins, which indicates OxPAPC-induced EC remodeling.

Role of Rho kinase and actin filament in the increased vascular permeability of skin venules in rats after scalding

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of the Small GTPase Rho and endothelial cytoskeleton in the increased vascular permeability of rat skin after scalding.

METHODS

Rats were subjected to scalding local ventral skin and a venule was isolated from scalded skin and cannulated by micropipette. The venular permeability was measured with a fluorescence ratio technique and expressed with the permeability coefficient to albumin (P(a)). The venular F-actin filaments were observed by staining with rhodamine phalloidin and laser confocal scanning microscopy. A specific Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 was added into vessel bathing solution or preincubated with vessels to evaluate the role of Rho kinase in regulating of vascular barrier function.

RESULTS

Scalding increased P(a) value of skin venule about threefold compared to normal skin venules (P<0.01) and was maintained for 120 min. Inhibition of Rho kinase with Y-27632 (30 micromol/l in low-concentration group; 60 micromol/l in high-concentration group) significantly attenuated the hyperpermeability responses to scalding in a dose dependent fashion. A prominent peripheral actin rim (PAR) existed at the outer area of endothelial cells and apparently delineated the cell-to-cell borders. In the control group, the PARs were arranged smoothly and fairly continuously. However, occasionally PARs did show focal interruption with focal fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-albumin leakage. In the burned group, PARs were less organized and accompanied by a large amount of FITC-albumin leakage. Inhibition of Rho kinase with Y-27632 dramatically reduced P(a) value with recovery of actin filament arrangement in venule after scalding.

CONCLUSION

Burn leads to dermal venular permeability increase with endothelial cytoskeleton depolymerization and disruption. Rho signal transduction pathway is involved in these responses.

Involvement of proteinase-activated receptor-2 in mast cell tryptase-induced barrier dysfunction in bovine aortic endothelial cells

We report here a direct modulation by mast cell tryptase of endothelial barrier function through activation of proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2). In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), tryptase, trypsin and PAR-2 activating peptide impaired the barrier function as determined by the permeability of protein-conjugated Evans blue. The tryptase-induced barrier dysfunction was completely blocked by U73122, and partially reversed by xestospongin C, calphostin C or Y27632. The intracellular Ca(2+) was elevated by tryptase. It was notable that ioxaglate, a contrast material that degranulates mast cells, markedly increased the permeability when applied to BAECs in combination with mast cells, an action that was blocked by nafamostat, a potent tryptase inhibitor. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that actin stress fibre formation and disruption of VE-cadherin were observed after exposure to tryptase or ioxaglate in combination with mast cells. Therefore, it is suggested that mast cell tryptase impairs endothelial barrier function through activation of endothelial PAR-2 in a manner dependent on the phospholipase C activity.

WF-536 inhibits metastatic invasion by enhancing the host cell barrier and inhibiting tumour cell motility

1. Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein serine/threonine kinase (ROCK) is involved in the development of tumour metastasis. Wf-536, (+)-(R)-4-(1-Aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) benzamide monohydrochloride, a novel inhibitor of ROCK, inhibits tumour metastasis in some animal models. To metastasise, tumour cells have to disturb the tight intercellular junctions and the basement membrane matrix of the host tissue, which, respectively, create an intercellular barrier and the extracellular membrane. To clarify the mechanism of Wf-536 in inhibition of tumour metastasis, we analysed the effect of Wf-536 on the transition of tumour cells through the host cell layer and the basement membrane in in vitro systems. 2. In a coculture system of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells plated on a monolayer of human ECV304 cells, Wf-536 (0.3-3 micromol/L) inhibited the paracellular infiltration of tumour cells. 3. Wf-536 (3-30 micromol/L) inhibited the invasion of tumour cells through the reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) layer. 4. Wf-536 (10-30 micromol/L) inhibited the migration of tumour cells. At 0.3-3 micromol/L, Wf-536 also restrained hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF)-induced increases in paracellular permeability of the ECV304 cell layer. 5. These results suggest that Wf-536 suppresses tumour metastasis by both enhancing the barrier function of host cell layers and inhibiting tumour cell motility at the stage of host tissue penetration by metastatic tumour cells.

Role of protein kinase C isoforms in rat epididymal microvascular endothelial barrier function

Endothelial barrier dysfunction is involved in a variety of diseased states. We investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in monolayer permeability using endothelial cells (EC) overexpressing PKC alpha (PKC alpha EC), PKC delta (PKC delta EC) or vector (vector control EC) cDNAs. Thrombin induced permeability changes in all EC, and induced significantly elevated rates of monolayer permeability in PKC alpha EC. Conversely, the basal level of permeability was significantly blunted in PKC delta EC, resulting in diminished thrombin-induced changes in permeability. PKC inhibitors, Gö6976 and rottlerin, reversed the effects of PKC alpha and PKC delta overexpression on permeability, respectively. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated significantly less beta-catenin associated with the cytoskeletal subcellular fraction in thrombin-treated PKC alpha EC, an effect blocked by pretreatment with Gö6976. PKC delta EC contained significantly greater numbers of focal contacts per cell. Thrombin enhanced RhoA GTPase activity in all EC; with a 3-fold greater level of activity in PKC delta EC. Rottlerin significantly blunted RhoA GTPase activity in all EC. Overexpression of RhoA dominant-negative cDNA diminished the size and number of focal contacts in EC, and significantly enhanced the basal rate of PKC delta EC monolayer permeability. These findings demonstrate that monolayer permeability changes are differentially regulated by PKC isoenzymes, suggesting that PKC alpha promotes endothelial barrier dysfunction and PKC delta enhances basal endothelial barrier function.

Endothelial contraction and monolayer hyperpermeability are regulated by Src kinase

Endothelial monolayer hyperpermeability is regulated by a myosin light chain phosphorylation (MLCP)-dependent contractile mechanism. In this study, we tested the role of Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation to modulate endothelial contraction and monolayer barrier function with the use of the myosin phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A (CalA) to directly elevate MLCP with the Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A (HA) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EC). CalA stimulated an increase in MLCP, Src kinase activity, an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin and focal adhesion (FA) kinase (p125(FAK)), and monolayer hyperpermeability. Microscopic examination of CalA-treated EC revealed a contractile morphology characterized by peripheral contractile bands of actomyosin filaments and stress fibers linked to phosphotyrosine-containing FAs. These CalA-dependent events were HA sensitive. HA alone stimulated an improvement in monolayer barrier formation by reducing the levels of MLCP and phosphotyrosine-containing proteins and the number of large paracellular holes. These data show that Src kinase plays an important role in regulating monolayer hyperpermeability through adjustments in tyrosine phosphorylation, MLCP, and EC contraction.

[Morphology and physiology of the blood-brain barrier]

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex biological system that consists of endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes, which are involved in the induction and maintenance of its physiological and ultrastructural characteristics. The BBB plays a primordial role in isolating the cerebral parenchyma as well as in controlling brain homeostasis by its selective permeability to nutriments and other molecules flowing through the cerebral microcapillaries. A better knowledge of this system is crucial in order to improve the efficiency of brain penetration by drugs, and in order to prevent BBB opening, leading to brain edema, in physiopathological situations such as brain ischemia, trauma or inflammatory processes.

Protease-activated receptor mediated RhoA signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization in LNCaP cells

Thrombin and trypsin induce cell signaling through a subclass of G-protein-coupled receptors called the protease-activated receptors (PARs). In many cells, PAR signaling results in the activation of RhoA and other members of the Rho family of small GTPases which are involved in cytoskeletal reorganization. The expression of PARs and their role in the activation of Rho GTPases in prostate cancer cells are not clearly known. FACS analysis demonstrated that the androgen-dependent LNCaP cells express PAR1, PAR2, and PAR4 but not PAR3. Stimulation with thrombin and trypsin resulted in the rapid activation of RhoA in a dose-dependent manner with an EC(50) of 1.0 and 5 nM, respectively. Activation of RhoA was enhanced by, but not dependent on, the presence of 1 nM dihydrotestosterone. Inhibition of the proteolytic properties of thrombin by hirudin and trypsin by diisopropyl fluorophosphate abolished the observed RhoA activation. Stimulation with 150 microM PAR-activating peptides TFFLRN (PAR1), SLIGKV (PAR2), and AYPGKF (PAR4) demonstrated that PAR1 and PAR2 mediated protease-activated RhoA signaling. Fluorescent microscopy studies showed that LNCaP cells treated with either thrombin (10 nM) or trypsin (10 nM) developed an increased number of filopodia, stress fibers, and focal adhesions relative to untreated cells. These observations represent the first report of PAR signaling in prostate cancer cells as well as the ability of PAR2 to mediate RhoA activation. Since the activation of RhoA is important for cytoskeletal reorganization, we postulate that PAR-mediated RhoA activation may be a major signaling pathway in the biology of prostate cancer.

Adrenomedullin reduces endothelial hyperpermeability

Endothelial hyperpermeability induced by inflammatory mediators is a hallmark of sepsis and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Increased levels of the regulatory peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) have been found in patients with systemic inflammatory response. We analyzed the effect of ADM on the permeability of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers. ADM dose-dependently reduced endothelial hyperpermeability induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thrombin, and Escherichia coli hemolysin. Moreover, ADM pretreatment blocked H2O2-related edema formation in isolated perfused rabbit lungs and increased cAMP levels in lung perfusate. ADM bound specifically to HUVECs and porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and increased cellular cAMP levels. Simultaneous inhibition of cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase isoenzymes 3 and 4 potentiated ADM-dependent cAMP accumulation and synergistically enhanced ADM-dependent reduction of thrombin-induced hyperpermeability. However, ADM showed no effect on endothelial cGMP content, basal intracellular Ca2+ levels, or the H2O2-stimulated, thrombin-stimulated, or Escherichia coli hemolysin-stimulated Ca2+ increase. ADM diminished thrombin- and H2O2-related myosin light chain phosphorylation as well as stimulus-dependent stress fiber formation and gap formation in HUVECs, suggesting that ADM may stabilize the barrier function by cAMP-dependent relaxation of the microfilament system. These findings identify a new function of ADM and point to ADM as a potential interventional agent for the reduction of vascular leakage in sepsis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Dominant regulation of interendothelial cell gap formation by calcium-inhibited type 6 adenylyl cyclase

Acute transitions in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) through store-operated calcium entry channels catalyze interendothelial cell gap formation that increases permeability. However, the rise in [Ca2+]i only disrupts barrier function in the absence of a rise in cAMP. Discovery that type 6 adenylyl cyclase (AC6; EC 4.6.6.1) is inhibited by calcium entry through store-operated calcium entry pathways provided a plausible explanation for how inflammatory [Ca2+]i mediators may decrease cAMP necessary for endothelial cell gap formation. [Ca2+]i mediators only modestly decrease global cAMP concentrations and thus, to date, the physiological role of AC6 is unresolved. Present studies used an adenoviral construct that expresses the calcium-stimulated AC8 to convert normal calcium inhibition into stimulation of cAMP, within physiologically relevant concentration ranges. Thrombin stimulated a dose-dependent [Ca2+]i rise in both pulmonary artery (PAECs) and microvascular (PMVEC) endothelial cells, and promoted intercellular gap formation in both cell types. In PAECs, gap formation was progressive over 2 h, whereas in PMVECs, gap formation was rapid (within 10 min) and gaps resealed within 2 h. Expression of AC8 resulted in a modest calcium stimulation of cAMP, which virtually abolished thrombin-induced gap formation in PMVECs. Findings provide the first direct evidence that calcium inhibition of AC6 is essential for endothelial gap formation.

Distinct signals via Rho GTPases and Src drive shape changes by thrombin and sphingosine-1-phosphate in endothelial cells

Soluble mediators such as thrombin and sphingosine-1-phosphate regulate morphological changes in endothelial cells that affect vascular permeability and new blood vessel formation. Although these ligands activate a similar set of heterotrimeric G proteins, thrombin causes cell contraction and rounding whereas sphingosine-1-phosphate induces cell spreading and migration. A functional requirement for Rho family GTPases in the cytoskeletal responses to both ligands has been established, yet the dynamics of their regulation and additional signaling mechanisms that lead to such opposite effects remain poorly understood. Using a pull-down assay to monitor the activity of Rho GTPases in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, we find significant temporal and quantitative differences in RhoA and Rac1 activation. High levels of active RhoA rapidly accumulate in cells in response to thrombin whereas Rac1 is inhibited. In contrast, sphingosine-1-phosphate addition leads to comparatively weak and delayed activation of RhoA and it activates Rac1. In addition, we show here that sphingosine-1-phosphate treatment activates a Src family kinase and triggers recruitment of the F-actin-binding protein cortactin to sites of actin polymerization at the rim of membrane ruffles. Both Src and Rac pathways are essential for lamellipodia targeting of cortactin. Further, Src plays a determinant role in sphingosine-1-phosphate-induced cell spreading and migration. Taken together these data demonstrate that the thrombin-induced contractile and immobile phenotype in endothelial cells reflects both robust RhoA activation and Rac inhibition, whereas Src- and Rac-dependent events couple sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors to the actin polymerizing machinery that drives the extension of lamellipodia and cell migration.

Intracellular signalling involved in modulating human endothelial barrier function

The endothelium dynamically regulates the extravasation of hormones, macromolecules and other solutes. In pathological conditions, endothelial hyperpermeability can be induced by vasoactive agents, which induce tiny leakage sites between the cells, and by cytokines, in particular vascular endothelial growth factor, which increase the exchange of plasma proteins by vesicles and intracellular pores. It is generally believed that the interaction of actin and non-muscle myosin in the periphery of the endothelial cell, and the destabilization of endothelial junctions, are required for endothelial hyperpermeability induced by vasoactive agents. Transient short-term hyperpermeability induced by histamine involves Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent activation of the myosin light chain (MLC) kinase. Prolonged elevated permeability induced by thrombin in addition involves activation of the small GTPase RhoA and Rho kinase, which inhibits dephosphorylation of MLC. It also involves the action of other protein kinases. Several mechanisms can increase endothelial barrier function, depending on the tissue affected and the cause of hyperpermeability. They include blockage of specific receptors, and elevation of cyclic AMP by agents such as beta2-adrenergic agents. Depending on the vascular bed, nitric oxide and cyclic GMP can counteract or aggravate endothelial hyperpermeability. Finally, inhibitors of RhoA activation and Rho kinase represent a potentially valuable group of agents with endothelial hyperpermeability-reducing properties.

Inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation and RhoA/RhoA kinase pathway induces apoptosis in human endothelial cells

Geranylgeranylation of RhoA small G-protein is essential for its localization to cell membranes and for its biological functions. Many RhoA effects are mediated by its downstream effector RhoA kinase. The role of protein geranylgeranylation and the RhoA pathway in the regulation of endothelial cell survival has not been elucidated. The hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin depletes cellular pools of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesol pyrophosphate and thereby inhibits both geranylgeranylation and farnesylation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to lovastatin (3 microm-30 microm) for 48 h, and cell death was quantitatively determined by cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments as well as caspase-3 activity. The assays showed that lovastatin caused a dose-dependent endothelial cell death. The addition of geranylgeraniol, which restores geranylgeranylation, rescued HUVEC from apoptosis. The geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor GGTI-298, but not the farnesyltransferase inhibitor FTI-277, induced apoptosis in HUVEC. Cell death was also induced by a blockade of RhoA function by exoenzyme C3. In addition, treatment of HUVEC with the RhoA kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and HA-1077 caused dose-dependent cell death. Y-27632 did not inhibit other well known survival pathways, such as NF-kappa B, ERK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt. However, there was an increase in p53 protein level concomitant with Y-27632-induced cell death. Unlike the apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha, which occurs only with inhibition of new protein synthesis, apoptosis induced by inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, geranylgeranyltransferase, or RhoA kinase was blocked by cycloheximide. Our data indicate that inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation and RhoA pathways induce apoptosis in HUVEC and that induction of p53 or other proapoptotic proteins is required for this process.

Modulatory role of focal adhesion kinase in regulating human pulmonary arterial endothelial barrier function

The adhesive force generated by the interaction of integrin receptors with extracellular matrix (ECM) at the focal adhesion complex may regulate endothelial cell shape, and thereby the endothelial barrier function. We studied the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activated by integrin signalling in regulating cell shape using cultured human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. We used FAK antisense oligonucleotide (targeted to the 3'-untranslated region of FAK mRNA (5'-CTCTGGTTGATGGGATTG-3') to determine the role of FAK in the mechanism of thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability. Reduction in FAK expression by the antisense augmented the thrombin-induced decrease in transendothelial electrical resistance (decrease in mock transfected cells of -43 +/- 1 % and in sense-transfected cells of -40 +/- 4 %, compared to the decrease in antisense-transfected cells of -60 +/- 3 %). Reduction in FAK expression also prolonged the drop in electrical resistance and prevented the recovery seen in control endothelial cells. Thus, the thrombin-induced increase in permeability is both greater and attenuated in the absence of FAK expression. Inhibition of actin polymerization with latrunculin-A prevented the translocation of FAK to focal adhesion sites and tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin, and concomitantly reduced the thrombin-induced decrease in electrical resistance by approximately 50 %. Thus, the modulatory role of FAK on endothelial barrier function is dependent on actin polymerization. FAK translocation to focal adhesion complex in endothelial cells guided by actin cables and the consequent activation of FAK-associated proteins serve to reverse the decrease in endothelial barrier function caused by inflammatory mediators such as thrombin.

Rho and rho kinase modulation of barrier properties: cultured endothelial cells and intact microvessels of rats and mice

Previous experiments using cultured endothelial monolayers indicate that Rho-family small GTPases are involved in modulation of endothelial monolayer permeability by regulating assembly of the cellular actin filament scaffold, activity of myosin-based contractility and junctional distribution of the Ca2+-dependent endothelial cell adhesion molecule, VE-cadherin. We investigated these mechanisms using both cultured endothelial cells (from porcine pulmonary artery and mouse heart) and vascular endothelium in situ (mouse aorta, and individually perfused venular microvessels of mouse and rat mesentery). Exposure to Clostridium difficile toxin B (100 ng x ml(-1)) inactivated 50-90% of all endothelial Rho proteins within 60-90 min. This was accompanied by considerable reduction of actin filament stress fibres and junctional F-actin in cultured endothelial monolayers and in mouse aortic endothelium in situ. Also, VE-cadherin became discontinuous along endothelial junctions. Inhibition of Rho kinase with Y-27632 (30 microM) for 90-120 min induced F-actin reduction both in vitro and in situ but did not cause redistribution or reduction of VE-cadherin staining. Perfusion of microvessels with toxin B increased basal hydraulic permeability (L(p)) but did not attenuate the transient increase in L(p) of microvessels exposed to bradykinin. Perfusion of microvessels with Y-27632 (30 microM) for up to 100 min reduced basal L(p) but did not attenuate the permeability increase induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) or bradykinin. These results show that toxin B-mediated reduction of endothelial barrier properties is due to inactivation of small GTPases other than RhoA. Rho proteins as well as RhoA-mediated contractile mechanisms are not involved in bradykinin- or PAF-induced hyperpermeability of intact microvessels.

Mechanisms of sodium fluoride-induced endothelial cell barrier dysfunction: role of MLC phosphorylation

NaF, a potent G protein activator and Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitor, significantly increased albumin permeability and decreased transcellular electrical resistance (TER), indicating endothelial cell (EC) barrier impairment. EC barrier dysfunction induced by NaF was accompanied by the development of actin stress fibers, intercellular gap formation, and significant time-dependent increases in myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. However, despite rapid, albeit transient, activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent MLC kinase (MLCK), the specific MLCK inhibitor ML-7 failed to affect NaF-induced MLC phosphorylation, actin cytoskeletal rearrangement, and reductions in TER, suggesting a limited role of MLCK in NaF-induced EC activation. In contrast, strategies to reduce Rho (C3 exoenzyme or toxin B) or to inhibit Rho-associated kinase (Y-27632 or dominant/negative RhoK) dramatically reduced MLC phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation and significantly attenuated NaF-induced EC barrier dysfunction. Consistent with this role for RhoK activity, NaF selectively inhibited myosin-specific phosphatase activity, whereas the total Ser/Thr phosphatase activity remained unchanged. These data strongly suggest that MLC phosphorylation, mediated primarily by RhoK, and not MLCK, participates in NaF-induced EC actin cytoskeletal changes and barrier dysfunction.

Cytoskeletal regulation of pulmonary vascular permeability

The endothelial cell (EC) lining of the pulmonary vasculature forms a semipermeable barrier between the blood and the interstitium of the lung. Disruption of this barrier occurs during inflammatory disease states such as acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome and results in the movement of fluid and macromolecules into the interstitium and pulmonary air spaces. These processes significantly contribute to the high morbidity and mortality of patients afflicted with acute lung injury. The critical importance of pulmonary vascular barrier function is shown by the balance between competing EC contractile forces, which generate centripetal tension, and adhesive cell-cell and cell-matrix tethering forces, which regulate cell shape. Both competing forces in this model are intimately linked through the endothelial cytoskeleton, a complex network of actin microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, which combine to regulate shape change and transduce signals within and between EC. A key EC contractile event in several models of agonist-induced barrier dysfunction is the phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chains catalyzed by Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase and/or through the activity of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway. Intercellular contacts along the endothelial monolayer consist primarily of two types of complexes (adherens junctions and tight junctions), which link to the actin cytoskeleton to provide both mechanical stability and transduction of extracellular signals into the cell. Focal adhesions provide additional adhesive forces in barrier regulation by forming a critical bridge for bidirectional signal transduction between the actin cytoskeleton and the cell-matrix interface. Increasingly, the effects of mechanical forces such as shear stress and ventilator-induced stretch on EC barrier function are being recognized. The critical role of the endothelial cytoskeleton in integrating these multiple aspects of pulmonary vascular permeability provides a fertile area for the development of clinically important barrier-modulating therapies.

G alpha minigenes expressing C-terminal peptides serve as specific inhibitors of thrombin-mediated endothelial activation

The C termini of G protein alpha subunits are critical for binding to their cognate receptors, and peptides corresponding to the C terminus can serve as competitive inhibitors of G protein-coupled receptor-G protein interactions. This interface is quite specific as a single amino acid difference annuls the ability of a G alpha(i) peptide to bind the A(1) adenosine receptor (Gilchrist, A., Mazzoni, M., Dineen, B., Dice, A., Linden, J., Dunwiddie, T., and Hamm, H. E. (1998 ) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 14912--14919). Recently, we demonstrated that a plasmid minigene vector encoding the C-terminal sequence of G alpha(i) could specifically inhibit downstream responses to agonist stimulation of the muscarinic M(2) receptor (Gilchrist, A., Bunemann, M., Li, A., Hosey, M. M., and H. E. Hamm (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 6610--6616). To selectively antagonize G protein signal transduction events and determine which G protein underlies a given thrombin-induced response, we generated minigene vectors that encode the C-terminal sequence for each family of G alpha subunits. Minigene vectors expressing G alpha C-terminal peptides (G alpha(i), G alpha(q), G alpha(12), and G alpha(13)) or the control minigene vector, which expresses the G alpha(i) peptide in random order (G(iR)), were systematically introduced into a human microvascular endothelial cell line. The C-terminal peptides serve as competitive inhibitors presumably by blocking the site on the G protein-coupled receptor that normally binds the G protein. Our results not only confirm that each G protein can control certain signaling events, they emphasize the specificity of the G protein-coupled receptor-G protein interface. In addition, the C-terminal G alpha minigenes appear to be a powerful tool for dissecting out the G protein that mediates a given physiological function following thrombin activation.

Differential effect of MLC kinase in TNF-alpha-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and barrier dysfunction

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is released in acute inflammatory lung syndromes linked to the extensive vascular dysfunction associated with increased permeability and endothelial cell apoptosis. TNF-alpha induced significant decreases in transcellular electrical resistance across pulmonary endothelial cell monolayers, reflecting vascular barrier dysfunction (beginning at 4 h and persisting for 48 h). TNF-alpha also triggered endothelial cell apoptosis beginning at 4 h, which was attenuated by the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone. Exploring the involvement of the actomyosin cytoskeleton in these important endothelial cell responses, we determined that TNF-alpha significantly increased myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, with prominent stress fiber and paracellular gap formation, which paralleled the onset of decreases in transcellular electrical resistance and enhanced apoptosis. Reductions in MLC phosphorylation by the inhibition of either MLC kinase (ML-7, cholera toxin) or Rho kinase (Y-27632) dramatically attenuated TNF-alpha-induced stress fiber formation, indexes of apoptosis, and caspase-8 activity but not TNF-alpha-induced barrier dysfunction. These studies indicate a central role for the endothelial cell cytoskeleton in TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis, whereas TNF-alpha-induced vascular permeability appears to evolve independently of contractile tension generation.